Norman Bull

On May 18, Colorado Rock Legend Norman Claude Bull Jr 64, passed away in his home, his wife by his side. Norm was born in Washington D.C. on June 4th 1948 and was a Colorado resident since 1971. He attended Robert E. Peary high school in Rockville, MD and graduated in 1966. He then attended the university of Maryland with a major in radio and T.V. production. At age 17 he had a chart topping RCA record out as a member of the Bedforde Set. "A World Through a Tear" it peaked around no. 15 on the Billboards top 100. The flip side was "Girl Go Run Away" it sold around 100,000 copies nation wide. Before long, Norm went on to open and play with bands such as Jerry Lee Lewis, The Beach Boys, Brian Hyland, Chubby Checker, Albert Collins, The Chartbusters, The Buckinghams, Grassroots, Allman Brothers, Elvin Bishop, Stills, Furay, Messina, and Neil Young, Les McCann and many more. Soon after coming to Colorado Norm formed the band Godfrey Bottoms as well as mixing sound, multi-mic concerts indoor and outdoors, including concerts with Tim Weisberg and Jaime Brockett. From 1975-1977 Norm was the Manager and chief engineer at Biscuit City Sound Recording studios in Denver. His name credited on over 14 albums. In 1978 Norm was attending Metro State College with a double major in computer science and professional pilot. He went on to work as the assistant sound engineer at Applewood studios in Golden. He operated a 24 track computer automated sound studio. Two years later Norm was the systems operator at IBM 360. He then worked as a musician and actor at The Country Dinner Playhouse in Englewood. In addition, Norm joined the Department of Defense D.O.D Tours which involved extensive travel and music throughout the world, Hodouras, Japan, and Turkey, Greece, Italy, Spain, Egypt, Israel, Panama. He even sang his trademark song "Speedo" acapella in the great pyramid in Egypt. In 1983 Norm moved to Fort Collins and began to work at Smartz Computers and stayed there until 1996 all the while playing in bands. Norm moved to Windsor in 1994 and worked for the Windsor/Severance library district. He single handedly created the computer system from the ground up that is still in use today. In the later years he worked at Colorado Case company and designed and manufactured some of the most beautiful handcrafted instrument cases on the planet. Norm was a staple in bands such as Free Delivery, Godfrey Bottoms, Chucky and the Cyclones, High Pockets, Cage, Boomerang, The Terminators, Runners, Flying Home, Cold Gold, and The Rockhounds. When asked what animal he would be, Norm responded "a Sea Otter". It fit. He was a journeyman musician and a swell companion on the road. A breath of east coast cynicism mellowed by the mountains and a good drink. He enjoyed himself and it was contagious. Norm was a virtuosic and lyrical bass player who was also an accomplished lead and harmony singer. He had a fantastic sense of melody and made otherwise average bands sound like recording artists by adding his crystalline soulful tenor voice to the mix. Norm was an intelligent, thoughtful lifelong friend who knew that life was much more than a quest for the material. He saw everything around him with the eyes of a true artist. Norm was a devoted and loving husband and partner to his forever best friend, his wife. Considering all of his contributions to the musical world and the adventures that entailed. His greatest accomplishment in his eyes was raising two open, honest, talented and truly loving human beings, his children. He really was a phenomenal Dad in every sense of the word. Norm will be sorely missed by all those who had the pleasure of knowing and loving him. He was truly a special guy. He was preceded in death by his Parents Norman C Bull Sr. and Mildred A Bull (Vorel) and Son Corence Clark Bull. He is survived by his Wife Cynthia Bull, his Daughter Hallie Bull, His Sisters Joan and Jean Bull, his family dog Carl, cats Pearl and Dezibull. And, Many extended family members and dear friends. A celebration service will take place Saturday July 6th at 4:00pm 2192 N Taft Hill Rd, Fort Collins, CO. Fellow musicians are invited to play. Its a Potluck so please bring what you would like to share. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the The Bull Family at 6007 Golden Willow Ct. Loveland Co, 80538